We are pleased to have a newly improved driveway and parking lot. We contracted with Matt Dwyer, who previously filled in a gully that was developing in our parking lot to fix up the eroded driveway, and to improve the parking lot to reduce the chance of more erosion there. Matt works on getting water to spread out and slow down as it runs off, rather than concentrating in channels which can lead to more erosion. On Friday, Nov. 18th he added crushed granite to the parking lot outside the new entrance, and created a shallower, flatter slope to spread out the flow of water. He re-graded the driveway to slope gently sideways–to the Hall side at the top, and to the road side farther down. We appreciate getting the work done before the winter storms that started on the 20th! Here are a couple of pictures:

An intrepid crew of painters began painting the main Hall on August 4th.

Organized by Alison Forrest (who took the pictures so she doesn’t show up in them), a group of volunteer Grange members and friends began painting the trim and walls. The Stage-end wall is the first to get a new color; the other 3 walls will also be painted–in a lighter color, FYI. Keep watching to see the new colors–or better yet, help out! Contact Alison at: feedkidswell@hotmail.com to find out when the next painting session takes place.

Joe has also been scraping paint from the exterior walls, and priming the bare spots–he’d like to have others to work with as well. Contact him at joeblakely640@yahoo.com to find out more.

In the pictures, Marisa, Joe, and Hap are painting; other volunteers have already removed all the pictures, quilts, bulletin boards, notices and other items from the walls, and washed them too! Lots of work goes into a project like this, but with a crew of people sharing it, it’s impressive how much gets done.

Do you know about the OPEN HOUSE at the Capital City Grange Hall on Rte 12 in Berlin this Saturday, May 7 3-6 pm? There will be DISPLAYS about on-going activities at the Hall (clothing exchange + bulk buyers club + outdoor fun, etc), plus DEMONSTRATIONS by some of the entertaining regular renters (traditional music + a quick drum lesson + barbershop quartet, etc). Also PIZZA SAMPLES for the kiddies, a SING-ALONG and a POTLUCK at 5 pm. A “taste of the Grange,” literally & figuratively, with something for everyone. And it is FREE!